Stop Hoping, Start Hunting

A Job Seeker's Guide to Finding a Dream Job

Hill’s book demonstrates that success is possible if people stop coasting and instead sit up and pay attention. Taking the reins of one’s career involves honesty, reflection, and action.

Recruiter and career coach Jennifer K. Hill has pieced together her time-tested tips into Stop Hoping, Start Hunting to help professionals realize their goals. This book teaches people how to take control of their lives, identify opportunities, and find success rather than letting life happen.

The range of information covers everything from finding a job and interviewing for it, to refining a resume and post-interview etiquette. Knowing when to move on from a career takes a lot of reflection. Hill helps people examine their experiences so they know when it’s time to change positions or seek a promotion. Attitude and perspective are everything. For example, when people lose jobs, they often fall into a depression as they look at unemployment rates or watch bills come in the mail. Hill recommends shifting focus and perspective. This book explains how layoffs can be a gift because professionals can change their career, increase salary, and find promotions. One door closes and another opens if one remains positive.

Reshaping a future is quantified so people have concrete tips for moving forward. For example, Hill recommends that professionals make a wish list for their next position or career change. This list may allude to benefits, salary, title, vacation time, or some other important item. From here, one assigns value to the wish list: which items are most important (i.e. location that is only fifteen miles from home may be assigned 15 percent, whereas tuition reimbursement, while a part of the dream, may not be as important at 2 percent). This helps professionals determine priorities when sifting through job openings and descriptions.

Short lists within chapters explain the art of networking or interviewing. By breaking down the tips, readers can better understand how to make the most of their conference experiences. Hill explains the power of having a great conversation hook, the importance of a firm handshake, and the impact of following up. The author acknowledges that job hunting has changed thanks to the Internet. Thus, she touches on the power of such social media websites as LinkedIn by explaining how to choose a profile photo and shape a virtual resume to increase overall visibility.

Through rich metaphors like the “fish bowl” Hill puts key ideas in focus. She explains that many fail to see their full potential or the world’s options because they spend their days “swimming,” or working, within strict confines. Some people are content with this, but others are unhappy, unmotivated, or bored and apathetic. Daring to dream big means taking risks.

Stop Hoping, Start Hunting demonstrates that success is possible if people stop coasting and instead sit up and pay attention. Taking the reins of one’s career involves honesty, reflection, and action. Understanding how businesses select their employees and refining one’s resume writing and interview skills helps individuals increase self-confidence and find their dream job. This is a chance to put on one’s “gratitude-colored glasses” to better see the world.

Disclosure: This article is not an endorsement, but a review. The author of this book provided free copies of the book and paid a small fee to have their book reviewed by a professional reviewer. Foreword Reviews and Clarion Reviews make no guarantee that the author will receive a positive review. Foreword Magazine, Inc. is disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.